ISLAMIC ETHICS

all time, and there is nothing that can exist without conforming to it. The slightest deviation from this pattern produces bad results, or no results at all, whereas acting in accordance with it causes all of God’s creations to thrive and flourish. The same is true of our human communities. Once they are entrusted with the divine code of life, as enshrined in the Book of God, they need only adhere strictly to it, never deviating from the “straight path”, as it is termed in the Quran, to be able to take root and flourish both in this world and the Hereafter. The right path is that of adherence to a certain discipline in life according to which human beings should live as though bound by a contract made with God. The right path will lead man straight to God. It is written in the Quran: God made a covenant with the Children of Israel; and raised among them twelve leaders. God said, ‘Surely, I am with you. If you attend to your prayers and pay the alms and believe in My messengers and support them, and give a generous loan to God, I will certainly forgive you your sins and admit you into Gardens through which rivers flow. Whoever among you denies the truth after this shall go astray from the straight path.’ (5: 12) This contract, or covenant, stipulates several religious duties, the first of which is prayer, a way of bowing to God and seeking to be close to Him. Next is Zakat (charity), which obliges one to be good in giving to others, and to behave as if they had a basic right to a share in one’s earnings. Then there is the duty to spread the Word of God. When one hears the call of truth, one is obliged to commit oneself unstintingly to its support and furtherance and to give one’s whole-hearted assistance to those who call humankind to the truth. All of these religious duties taken together are what make up the contract according to which a believer must pattern his life. Those who live their lives in such a manner find themselves close to God and become worthy of His divine assistance. o Patience makes a person possess high human qualities.